​​BIRDING MANU EXPEDITION 4D/3N

This is the shortest jungle tour to the Cultural Zone of Manu Park. An excellent tour for birders.In this tour the main activities are based on bird watching; however, there are chances to observe several species of reptiles, amphibians, monkeys and some mammals.

Tour ItineraryDay 1: Cusco – Cloud Forest – Bamboo Lodge

Departure from Cusco city very early in the morning in one of our trucks specially prepared for this road. We will pass through interesting Inter-Andean valleys and picturesque farmer communities. In the middle of the day we are going to visit the pre-Inca buried towers of Ninamarca, known as “chullpas”. After that we will arrive to Paucartambo city, which is a typical colonial town. It had a lot of importance and it still conserves it’s flavor. Continuing our trip we drive up until the Abra of Accjanaco which is found at 3850 meters over the sea. From this point we start to go down passing through the cloud forest, which is an area rich in endemic species as the spectacular “Andean Bear” (Tremarctos Ornatus) and “The Cock of the Rock” (The Peruvian National Bird), “Orquis”, “Bromelias” and “Ferns” etc. Then in the cloud forest we will visit a lek of “Cock of the Rock”, in which these birds every morning and afternoon made during a very interesting dance called “Displays”. We will spend the night at Bamboo Lodge.

Day 2: Bamboo Lodge - Atalaya – Amazonia Lodge

Before breakfast we will take a walk, along the road we will be able to do some bird watching as well as have the opportunity to see some species of small monkeys. After a two hour walk we will enjoy our deserved breakfast at Atalaya Port; from here we will continue with our tour by boat. After approximately 20minutes of boat sailing we will walk towards Machuhuasi oxbow lake; there we will have the possibilities to see several species of birds as well as have the chance to see some Capybaras and monkeys.In the afternoon we will reach our lodge in order to have lunch and take a short break before we start our afternoon walk.This afternoon with luck in our walk we will have a possibility to see some Monkeys, Macaws, Toucans so in the way back we will have a night walking where we can see spiders, lizards, frogs and tarantulas, also this day we will observe some birds from the top of a metal tower. After this impressive experience we go back to the lodge where our delicious dinner is waiting.

Day 3: Amazonia Lodge all day.

Our lodge has several trails to explore, this day before breakfast we will explore one of the trails having the opportunity to see several species of birds; like, tanagers, flycatchers, trogons, parrots, macaws, hawks, falcons and Manakins. Beside birds we can also see several species of monkeys, peccaries, and maybe a jaguar or puma.Late in the afternoon we will visit a lake near to the lodge where we can observe some caimans.

Option: This day if the weather conditions are good we will visit the parrot clay lick, and in the way back to the lodge we will visit the oxbow lake of Machuhuasi where several species of birds as well as monkeys and other mammals can be observed.

Day 4: Amazonia Lodge – Macaw/Parrot Clay lick- Cusco

We will get up early to visit a parrot clay lick where we can see three types of macaws, parrots and Parakeets. This is a clay Lick wall on the riverside, where different species of parrots and macaws come down each morning to extract necessary minerals for their diet balance.After this impressive activity we will return to Atalaya by boat where our private bus will be waiting for us in order to take us back to Cusco by the cloud forest and Paucartambo. We will arrive back in Cusco in the late afternoon.Tour Price: The tour prices with discount listed below apply when you book two weeks in advance as minimum and are based on the number of people that books the tour together.Included:- All lodging with private bathroom & Hot and cold shower.- All Meals, snacks, drinking water (vegetarian on request). B:L:D.- Private transportation ( bus/van & boat)- Professional expert bilingual Natural History Guide with a spotting scope.- Hotel transfer and entrance fees.- First Aid Kit with a poison extractor.- Flora and fauna check list.

Not Included:- Does not include air Cusco-Puerto Maldonado-Cusco, but we will purchase these on request - Airport tax & Personal expensesTRIPS CONSIDERATIONS

CLIMATE: Hot and humid in the lowlands. This is a dry season tour, but there is the possibilty of a "Friaje", a strong cold front moving up from the south that can bring periods of unusually cool weather and rain.

DIFFICULTY: Easy there are some long journeys and early starts, but the walking is usually fairly easy.

ACCOMMODATION: The jungle lodges are comfortable but simple; some do not have full-time electricity, but provide a generator for a few hours a day to charge batteries. Matsiguenka Camping Lodge in the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park has shared bathroom facilities and cold shower. Manu Birding Lodge consists in double rooms with a private toilet and shower facilities. Hot and cold water is always available and all toilets facilities are flush.

Wildlife Photography: Opportunities are worthwhile.

What to BringWe advise you to bring:

Besides from Binoculars and photo-equipmen(the important Wildlife Enthusiast stuff) we advise:Flashlight for night walkLight day packA bottle or canteen to carry water on outingsSunscreen and insect repellentT-shirts and a long-sleeved shirtJeans or other cotton pants are comfortable, as well as quick-drying nylon ones.Cotton socksLight jacket, water resistant, or ponchoHiking boots or sturdy shoesSandals for after hoursHat that will not come off in windy boat rides and sunglassesPlastic bags for camera, clothes, etcPersonal toiletries (shampoo, towel, etc)

NOTE: In rainy season we provide umbrella and rubber boots in many popular sizes for rainy days.

Manu Birding Lodge look forward to welcoming and guiding you soon!Last minute bookings will be accepted but you must be aware that there is the possibility that we will not get space at the lodge or tour that you need.

STUDENT DISCOUNT: $35 off per personStudent Discounts apply to anyone who has a valid GREEN ISIC card at the time of the trek or is 16 years old or younger. For those using an ISIC card to receive the discount, we do need to see a copy of the card at booking. For those booking children 16 years old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all to incaland@gmail.com

DiscountsUnder 15 years will pay as student: US$35.00Under 7 years Discount: US$50.00ADDITIONAL ITEMS:As you see in our Additional Items under Trip Overview, there are several optional upgrades you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices, but check our Overview section for more details.